A Delhi Police Constable was tonight battling for life after he was severely beaten up near India Gate by protesters who had gathered to demand security for women in the capital in the wake of last week's gang-rape incident.

On a day hooligans took over and violence erupted in India Gate in which 78 policemen and 65 protesters were injured, police fired 250 teargas shells, repeatedly used water jets and resorted to baton charge.

Tomar was beaten up at Tilak Marg near India Gate in the evening by "hooligans among protesters", Dharmendra Kumar, Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), said. "He is critical. He sank thrice but was revived by doctors. He is now on ventilator," the Special Commissioner said.

He said at least 25 vehicles -- 12 DTC buses, 12 PCR vans and a Doordarshan vehicle -- were damaged.

"We cleared India Gate completely by 5:30 pm," he said, adding the barricades erected by PWD for Republic Day celebrations next month were damaged by protesters.

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